According to Yonhap News,

South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) were set to hold their first joint think tank dialogue on economic and trade policies Wednesday, Seoul's industry ministry said.

The inaugural ASEAN-ROK Think-tank Dialogue on Economic and Trade Policy (AKTD) will be held on South Korea's southern Jeju Island, with the attendance of some 100 officials from major Korean and ASEAN think tanks, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy. ROK stands for Republic of Korea, South Korea's official name.

The AKTD was established after the two sides elevated their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership," diplomatic parlance that refers to the highest level of relations that ASEAN can forge with a dialogue partner, during a summit in Laos in October.

"ASEAN is South Korea's third-largest trading partner and the second-largest destination for direct investment," Trade Minister Cheong In-kyo said.

Cheong said the two sides have continued to strengthen their cooperation, but in a rather "fragmented manner."

"As South Korea and ASEAN have grown into a comprehensive strategic partnership, I hope the AKTD will evolve into a signature policy cooperation channel that effectively identifies and carries out long-term cooperation initiatives," he added.


nyway@yna.co.kr

Source Text

Copyrights Yonhap News. All Rights Reserved.
Reprint or redistribution without permission is prohibited.

Source: Yonhap News (May 14, 2025)